As we approach the annual Veteran's Day commemoration, we take a moment to honor the heroic efforts of our nation's armed forces-men and women who have dedicated themselves to protecting our freedoms and preserving our security.

Unfortunately, too many of these veterans return to civilian life needing more than recognition; they need tangible support. We at UCP Central PA are pleased to be able to give back in some small way to military veterans through several unique program and service options:

AgrAbility for Pennsylvaniansis a partnership between UCP Central PA and Penn State Extension that has as its over-arching goal to make production agriculture accessible for all Pennsylvanians, including PA veterans.

As AgrAbility PA Project Director Dr. Connie Baggett makes clear, "Assisting Veterans who choose a career in the agricultural industry is one that needs to be addressed more intentionally." AgrAbility PA provides resources and services to men and women who are battling a long-term health condition or disability - sometimes because of their military service - but want to return to or try their hand at working in production agriculture. Cathie Dibert and Green"er" Acres Farm is a great example of a military Veteran successfully making the move into agricultural farming.

Capital Home Care, an authorized provider of Veterans Home Care, offers
in-home, non-medical care and companionship services to veterans or surviving spouses who have a need for additional support in the home.
Joan Secrest is one such survivor. Joan receives services in the home four days a week and usually goes on an outing once a month, accompanied by one of her attendants, Joyce Boyer or Deb Specht.

Changing Hands, UCP's equipment reuse and exchange program, is one of the many ways that our assistive technology services are changing lives. Over the past fiscal year alone, Changing Hands was able to recirculate 970 items--or $456,475

Changing Hands Program Manager, Jackie Wardle, with Mike Fry as he receives a donated power wheel chair. They are joined by Jamie Haugh from UCP South Central.

worth of equipment--back into the community
free of charge. Assistive technology has improved the quality of life for countless Pennsylvanians over the years... including both veterans and active duty military who have been harmed or disabled as a result of their service to our country.

*Changing Hands is an equipment exchange and reuse program of UCP Central PA that is supported in part by Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT). PIAT is the Commonwealth's Assistive Technology Act Program at the Institute on Disabilities, Temple University, and is funded through a grant from the Administration on Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Changing Hands program is a participant in the Reused and Exchanged Equipment Partnership (REEP), a program of PIAT.

UCP Earns Great Nonprofit Honors

Thank You!

You did it! Thanks to your willingness to share your experience with UCP, we have once again been granted 2016 Top-Rate status on the nonprofit review site, GreatNonprofits. Thanks to all who contributed! Read the reviews or add your own: http://greatnonprofits.org/org/ucp-central-pa

It is the shared mission of UCP Central PA and the UCP Foundation of Central PA to assist infants, children, youth, and adults, with disabilities,and their families, achieve their goals of development, growth, independence, and full citizenship.